Bustillo urges recovery of Gospel values to repair fractured Western society

Cardinal François Bustillo, the Franciscan bishop of Ajaccio in Corsica, has called for the recovery of Gospel values to repair the deeply fractured social fabric of contemporary Western society. In a recent interview, he proposed a profound relational project aimed at healing societal divisions by dismantling the culture of suspicion and digital lynching prevalent on social media platforms. He argued that the current frenzied digital environment must be countered with the silence and reflective distance characteristic of monastic tradition, which allows for calm and proportional judgment of events.

Bustillo emphasized the need for a conversion of perspective that replaces individualism with a focus on the common good. He urged that political and ecclesial authority be exercised through humility and listening, transforming differences into collective wealth. This approach, he stated, is essential for jointly reconstructing the damaged social tissue. He noted that Western society has set aside the values and principles of the Gospel, which he considers the foundation for a better, evangelized, and civilized society. These principles include love, forgiveness, refraining from judging or condemning, and giving.

The cardinal criticized the demonization of politicians and ordinary people on social networks, describing the media system as operating on basic and primary principles. He observed a mentality of judges rather than philosophers, where people judge and condemn without sufficient elements or arguments. Instead of seeking solutions through reflection, society often reacts impulsively and unjustly. Bustillo highlighted a deficit of reflection, urging people to take time to deepen their understanding of arguments rather than reacting to emotions. He cited the Gospel passage of the adulterous woman, where Jesus disarms the capacity to judge without knowing the full truth, warning against the dangerous dualism of separating the pure and perfect from the rest.

Regarding digital evangelization, Bustillo stated that social networks are beautiful in themselves but should not be idolized or demonized. He noted that in France, many young people who convert and approach the Gospel do so through social media. He encouraged evangelizers to use these platforms to transmit words of blessing rather than malediction, emphasizing the etymological meaning of blessing as saying good things about others. He acknowledged that while some may consider Church messages on peace and immigration naive, the challenge for society is to speak well of others without being naive. The interview concluded with a discussion on the risks of misusing social media and the need to change mentalities to foster a more peaceful social life.